01ST601 Covenant Theology REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Course Description

REFORMED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (Jackson, Mississippi)
01ST601 Covenant Theology * Spring Semester, 2016 * Ligon Duncan
Course Description
This course is a study of Covenant Theology from exegetical, theological and historical perspectives.
Covenant theology is the Bible’s way of explaining and deepening our understanding of (1) the atonement;
(2) our assurance; (3) the sacraments; (4) the continuity of redemptive history; and (5) Dynamic of God’s
sovereignty and Christian responsibility/piety. The doctrine of the covenants is thus important for both
Reformed systematic and biblical theology (the study of special revelation from the standpoint of
redemptive history).
The course will survey the successive biblical covenants from a redemptive historical perspective as well
as examine the bi-covenantal structure of creation and redemption. Consideration will be given to issues
such as the relation of the Old and New Testaments, the significance of the covenants for the doctrine of
the atonement, for understanding sacramental theology, the implications of Covenant Theology for
Reformed hermeneutics and more. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the Biblical doctrine of the
covenants for preaching and pastoral ministry.
Course Objectives
To assist the student in mastering an outline of the covenantal structure of redemptive history and to help
him/her begin to grasp the manifold implications of the Biblical doctrine of the covenants (for soteriology
and especially the atonement, sacraments, evangelism, family life, ecclesiology, and more). The course
will also aim to equip the student with a working knowledge of the history of Covenant Theology and
some of the more important objections to Covenant Theology from its theological critics.
Contact Information
Ligon Duncan, PhD – John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Chancellor of RTS
RTS Orlando Office: Chancellor’s Office, Email: [email protected]
RTS Jackson Office: Horace H. Hull Administration Building
5422 Clinton Boulevard
Jackson, MS 39209
Phone 601.923.1656
Executive Assistant Jan Hyde: [email protected]
Assisting me to facilitate this course will be my RTS Jackson TA:
Jonathan Hunt Email: [email protected] (in case Jonathan is otherwise occupied)
Bentley Crawford Email: [email protected]
All assignments must be submitted via Canvas in pdf format. Jonathan and Bentley are both available
to answer questions for you about logistical matters related to the course.
Course Requirements
Required Texts:
Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology [211-218; 262-301]; 978-0802838209
Vern Poythress, Understanding Dispensationalists; 978-0875523743
O.Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants; 978-0875524184
Geerhardus Vos, Biblical Theology [3-182, 185-342] 978-0851514581
Rowland Ward, God and Adam: Reformed Theology and the Creation Covenant 978-0958624169
J. Ligon Duncan III, Covenant Theology 978-1-938435-21-8 (iBook)
Syllabus Articles (located on Canvas):
Heinrich Heppe, Reformed Dogmatics, 281-319, 371-409
Donald Macleod, Covenant Theology in DSCH&T, 214-218
Donald Macleod, Covenant: 2 in Banner of Truth [BoT] 141:22-28
Donald Macleod, Federal Theology -- An Oppressive Legalism? in BoT 125:21-28
Donald Macleod, The Lord's Supper as a Means of Grace in BoT 64:16-22
Donald Macleod, Qualifications for Communion in BoT 65:14-20
Donald Macleod, The Real Presence in BoT 66:13-16
Westminster Confession of Faith 7: Of God's Covenant with Man
Larger Catechism Questions 20-22, and 30-36
Shorter Catechism Questions 12, 16, and 20
ST601 Syllabus | Page 2
Online Lectures
There will be online lectures to which the student will be required to listen and take notes
before class. These are located on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/course/covenanttheology-dr.-j.-ligon/id668706261).
Class Attendance
Given the huge amount of material we have to cover and the relative scarcity of classroom hours,
attendance will be at a premium and, of course, to the benefit of the student. My TA will take roll
at every class. If you need to miss a class or to leave early or to arrive late, you should seek
permission (via my TA, my EA, or myself). Failure to attend class, or to engage while in the class,
will be noted. No unexplained absences.
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be the student’s own. Group-produced work is not permitted. Plagiarism
and copying of old assignments are all considered cheating. Students who do not fulfill
assignments with requisite academic integrity will be referred to the Academic Dean with a
recommendation for discipline (the student should also consult pp. 33-34 in the Handbook for
further details).
Technology Use
Laptop computers may not be used during this course. Students desiring to use a laptop for notetaking purposes only may request an application for permission to do so.
Course Evaluation
1. Reading and Course Notebook (20%) Each student will keep a course notebook to reflect
his studies in the course as well as provide the basis for future study or teaching opportunities.
Please see the directions below for completing this assignment.
2. Doctrinal Précis’ (15%) See the last page for details.
3. Quizzes (15%) The Student should prepare for and expect a quiz over the reading that is
due on that day. These quizzes will be taken through the Canvas website. You may not use any
helps such as, but not limited to, notes, textbooks, books, Bible, etc.
4. Final Examination (50%) The Exam will cover reading and lecture material from the whole
of the course. Further details will be given.
Late Work
Students should make every effort to turn in work on time or early. In the rare case of medical
or other providential emergency, extensions and/or alternative arrangements may be granted.
In most cases, late assignments will be accepted but penalized one letter grade per day. Please
make these arrangements with the TA as soon as possible.
ST601 Syllabus | Page 3
Instructions for Course Notebook
The notebook assignment is designed to reward students for their labors in engaging in the classroom
and in assigned reading, and to provide them with a study guide for the final exam—as well as a
permanent reference resource for studying and teaching Covenant Theology in the future.
1. Lecture notes Assignment:
Inclusion of the student’s lecture notes from the online lectures in the course notebook will enable
the instructor to gauge the quality of listening and comprehension, and notetaking (and make
adjustments in delivery or content beneficial for students).
2. Reading Notes Assignment:
Please include your notes taken (typed or neatly scripted) on reading of Berkhof, Poythress,
Macleod, and Heppe.
3. Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) Outline Assignment:
This project calls for the student to develop a concise, typed, outline of the assigned chapter of the
WCF (chapter 7).
4. Ward Synopsis
The student will produce a one-page synopsis of Rowland Ward’s God and Adam. The synopsis
should be in outline form or in abbreviated narrative, should aim to enumerate the key points in
each section, and should be as compact and lucid as possible. The goal of the synopsis is for the
student to accurately reproduce the flow of the book’s argument and its main thrust and points.
The synopsis should begin with a paragraph-length statement of the book’s thesis and conclusion.
Then, an outline of the assigned contents should follow. The student may also want to create a list
of the best quotes, and points of weakness or disagreement.
Due Dates Summary
Feb. 22
Mar. 14
Mar. 28
April 11
April 25
Précis on Covenant of Works
Précis on Covenant of Grace
Précis of Covenant Theology
Précis on Covenant of Redemption
Course Binder due (Last Day of Class)
Collection of Assignments
All assignments are due by 5:00 PM of the assigned day. Assignments received after this time will
be considered late and penalized accordingly. Assignments are not to be emailed to the TA, but
rather uploaded to the corresponding Canvas module.
About the Teacher
For inquiring minds who want to know, I taught full-time at RTS from June 1990- July 1996 and then
became the Minister of the historic First Presbyterian Church (1837), Jackson, Mississippi in August of
1996. In 2013, I was called to serve as the Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary. At
the beginning of 2014, I assumed that role fully as I transitioned from full-time ministry at First
Presbyterian Church over to full-time leadership at RTS.
ST601 Syllabus | Page 4
I am a native of Greenville, South Carolina, and was born and reared in a Christian home (a ninth
generation Southern Presbyterian to be precise!). I am a graduate of Furman University, Greenville, SC
(BA); Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis (MDiv, MA); and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland
(PhD). I have been here in Jackson for over 23 years now.
My wife, Anne (who is a graduate of Furman University, BA; Gordon-Conwell Seminary, MRE; and
Reformed Theological Seminary, MA [MFT]) is an accomplished Christian Educator in her own right,
and is the loving mother of our daughter, Sarah Kennedy (19), and son, Jennings (15).
Course Outline and Assignment Schedule
Listed below are the dates and topics and weekly assignment timetable/due dates for our course.
Please factor these into to your term calendar now!
February 8
[CLASS 1] Introduction to Covenant Theology
Syllabus/Reading/Assignment Review
What is Covenant Theology? What is a Covenant? Why study it?
Covenant Theology (History and Objections)
February 15 [CLASS 2] Covenant of Works (or Creation)
DUE: Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, 211-218.
DUE: Donald Macleod, Covenant Theology.
DUE: O. Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 3-63.
DUE: J. Ligon Duncan III, Covenant Theology, Chapter 1.
DUE: Listen to online lectures – Lesson 1
DUE: WCF 7; LC Questions 20-22, 30-36; and SC Questions 12, 16, & 20.
February 22 [CLASS 3] Covenant of Grace (Adam)
DUE: O. Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 67-87.
DUE: Macleod, Covenant: 2 & Federal Theology-An Oppressive Legalism?
DUE: Heinrich Heppe, Reformed Dogmatics, 281-319.
DUE: Ward, God and Adam, 1-27.
DUE: J. Ligon Duncan III, Covenant Theology, Chapter 2.
DUE: Listen to online lectures – Lesson 2
**All students submit précis on Covenant of Works.
February 29 [CLASS 4] Covenant of Grace (Noah)
DUE: O. Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 91-107.
DUE: Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology [262-301].
DUE: Heinrich Heppe, Reformed Dogmatics [371-409]
DUE: Ward, God and Adam, 28-76.
March 7
SPRING BREAK!!
ST601 Syllabus | Page 5
March 14
DUE: O. Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 109-125.
DUE: Ward, God and Adam, 77-125.
DUE: J. Ligon Duncan III, Covenant Theology, Chapter 3.
DUE: Listen to online lectures – Lesson 3
**All students submit précis on Covenant of Grace.
March 21
[CLASS 5] Covenant of Grace (Abraham)
DUE: O. Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 127-146.
DUE: Ward, God and Adam, 126-146.
March 28
[CLASS 6] Covenant of Grace (Moses)
DUE: O. Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 147-166.
DUE: Donald Macleod, The Lord's Supper as a Means of Grace (all),
Qualifications for Communion (all), and The Real Presence (all).
DUE: Ward, God and Adam, 147-197.
DUE: J. Ligon Duncan III, Covenant Theology, Chapter 4.
DUE: Listen to online lectures – Lesson 4
**All students submit précis on Covenant Theology
(Definition, Description, Distinctives, and History).
April 4
DUE: O. Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 167-199.
DUE: Vern Poythress, Understanding Dispensationalists (all).
DUE: O.Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 201-227.
April 11
DUE: O. Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 229-269.
DUE: J. Ligon Duncan III, Covenant Theology, Chapter 5.
DUE: Listen to online lectures – Lesson 5
**All students submit précis on Covenant of Redemption.
April 18
[CLASS 7] Covenant of Grace (David) and Dispensationalism
DUE: O. Palmer Robertson, Christ of the Covenants, 271-300.
DUE: Vos, Biblical Theology, 3-182.
DUE: J. Ligon Duncan III, Covenant Theology, Chapter 6-7.
DUE: Listen to online lectures – Lessons 6-7
April 25
[CLASS 8] Covenant of Grace (Jeremiah-New) [Last Day of Class]
DUE: Vos, Biblical Theology, 185-342.
DUE: J. Ligon Duncan III, Covenant Theology, Chapter 8-9.
DUE: Listen to online lectures – Lessons 8-9
Course Notebook and Revised Précis Deadline
**All students submit Course Notebook
Final Exams: May 3-5, 2016
Précis Assignments
ST601 Syllabus | Page 6
A précis is a precise summary or abstract of a particular subject matter or topic. Each student
must complete four, one-page précis' of 4 assigned topics: Covenant Theology (Definition,
Description, Distinctives, and History); Covenant of Redemption; Covenant of Works; Covenant
of Grace. These will aid you in understanding more about the doctrine as well as provide you
with teaching material for the future. Please see the TA if you have any questions, uncertainties,
or difficulties. These must be submitted in pdf format on Canvas. Each précis must be exactly
one page with the bibliography on the second page. The format will be 11 pt., Times New
Roman, ½” margins, single spaced. You must use MLA parenthetical citations such as [“by
means of the covenant” (Marcel 127).] Following is an example of how your paper should be
titled:
Name
Précis on the Covenant of Works
2/22/2016
Begin by outlining the doctrine. For example, you may break the Covenant of Works down to
Contracting Parties, Abiding Significance, Sacraments, Blessings & Curses, Ordinances, Christ’s
Fulfillment, and Stipulations. Then fill it in with Scripture references and supporting
quotations/summaries from your research maintaining the outline format. Following are two
examples of précis’: one is sparse, the other is full. One is in proper format, the other is not.
Bad
Good
Suggested Resources:
Berkhof, Louis, and Louis Berkhof. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Pub., 1996.
Hodge, Archibald Alexander. Outlines of Theology. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1983.
Reymond, Robert L. A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith. Nashville: T. Nelson, 1998.
The Westminster Confession of Faith: With Proof Texts. Horsham, PA: Great Commission Pub., 1992.